There are different types of brain diseases to familiarize. Each of these has relative effects and consequences to the way individuals work, function and behave.

Since the brain is a vital organ, any damage or injury to it will lead to changes to other parts of the body as well. The brain is responsible for different actions and responses in the body. If brain diseases are present, the person will most likely be incapable of certain tasks depending on the particular region affected by the disorder. Knowing the full details on the disorders will give people a well-rounded guide on how to address the problem properly.

Brain Diseases: Getting to Know Brain Injury

Brain injury is composed of a sophisticated group of surgical and medical conditions that generally come from acquiring severe trauma to the head. Many of these disorders come from powerful impacts or trauma to the skull or other regions of the head, causing fractures or swelling of the brain itself. The fracture pieces can apply pressure to the brain. The swelling can also significantly increase intracranial pressure thereby affecting the way the person feels, performs or acts.

The brain tissue can also acquire bruises and injury. This occurrence is known as contusion. Other disorders that come from indirect actions will lead to situations like the tearing of blood vessels, stretching of the white mater fibers, bouncing or shaking of the brain against the skull and bleeding around or into the brain that will add to the intracranial pressure.

The severity of the contusion in these types of brain diseases can range from mild to severe. Some patients can completely recover from the occurrence or only present mild symptoms while others might be comatosed or even die. The effects can be long-lasting and even permanent depending on the severity of the trauma.

Some of the symptoms that the patient might experience include poor memory and concentration, dizziness, drowsiness, confusion and loss of consciousness. The treatment for these brain diseases can include management of the pressure or bleeding occurring inside and around the brain. The body also might need to be attended to for the presence of other existing infections that might cause microorganisms to easily enter the already damaged brain, causing further complications.

Brain Diseases: Getting to Know CMT

CMT stands for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder which is one of the more common brain diseases. It is a genetically acquired condition which affects both men and women, regardless of racial or ethnic background. The condition was discovered over a century ago and derived its name from its founders.

The disorder will present symptoms that initially affect the lower extremities particularly the lower legs, the feet and the ankles. Other parts of the body will also be affected over time such as the fingers, wrists, hands and shoulders. People with CMT usually have arched feet or hammer toes.

The symptoms will also progress over time and lead to more adverse symptoms like scoliosis, abnormal reflexes and changes in sensorium. Because the nerves are mainly affected by the problem, patients will have abnormalities in the way they feel or touch.

There is no known cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Doctors will provide activities, therapies and other tools to help the patient regain balance and coordination as well as reduce discomfort in the affected areas. Several patients with these kinds of brain disease actually cope well into their 70s or 80s with proper intervention.

Brain Diseases: Gaucher Disease

Gaucher disease is one of the inherited brain diseases. It is generally triggered by mutations in the genes, particularly the type responsible for glucocerebrosidase. The enzyme is highly important for breaking down fat.

Since the body cannot easily break down that particular type of fat, it will easily build up in vital organs like the liver and spleen. People will start to present abnormal symptoms like yellowing of the eyes and skin, pain and discomfort, problems in the red blood cell levels and fatigue. Gaucher disease is known as an autosomal recessive condition. People with the condition will most likely pass on the same problem to their children.

Under these kinds of brain diseases, you will discover the three types of Gaucher disease. Type 1 is the most common among the three wherein affected individuals will display skeletal irregularities, fatigue, abnormal conditions like having an enlarged liver or spleen, blood problems and bleeding. Lung function will also be affected.

Type 2 is quite rare but affects the same organs as the first kind. The symptoms can present during the person’s early infancy stages and affected babies usually do not live more than 2 years. The Type 3 Gaucher disease will have the same symptoms as the first type although these are usually more severe. These brain diseases seem to be more evident among individuals who come from Eastern Europe.

Brain Diseases: Meniere’s Disease

Meniere’s Disease is one of the brain diseases that affects the inner ear. The fluid volume within the inner ear tends to fluctuate thereby causing a variety of effects like vertigo, tinnitus, pressure in the ear and fluctuating loss of hearing. The symptoms may be present in one or both ears. The tinnitus usually occurs before the episodes.

During the episodes, changes in sensorium, hearing loss and imbalance can happen. The true cause of the condition is still unknown although many experts link the problem to stress and environmental factors. People with these types of brain diseases are usually treated by adjusting and improving their diet, taking nutritional supplementation and diuretic intake. Surgery might also be required in some patients, to properly drain the fluid causing problems and abnormalities on the nerves.

Brain Cancer

Cancer may be becoming more common these days but brain cancer is actually one of the rare brain diseases. There are two general kinds of brain cancer. The first is primary brain cancer which originates in the brain. The second is metastatic brain cancer which begins in some of the part of the body and then transfers to the brain.

The first manifestation of brain cancer is the abnormal growth of cells leading to a tumor. The tumor should then be categorized as either benign or malignant, the latter being the more dangerous between the town. Rare brain diseases such as brain cancer will lead to a variety of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle twitching, numbness, problems with coordination, movement and balance, problems in communication and memory and cognitive problems.

Experts cannot truly point out the true triggers or causes of rare brain diseases like the development of a tumor. There are many who say that unhealthy habits, environmental factors and genetic factors all play a role in the development of the disorder. There are a number of treatment approaches to brain cancer although prognosis is generally moderate or poor.

Brain Diseases: Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus happens there is too much cerebrospinal fluid inside the brain. The condition has been observed many centuries ago. When the pressure builds up because of the excess fluids, the patient will manifest different symptoms like changes in sensorium, inability to think properly, lack of memory and focus and pain. The medical intervention for these brain diseases usually involve draining the excess fluid to relieve pressure as well as diuretics.